Month: September 2023

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I Talked to a Stranger, and I Made a Friend

I talk to strangers all day long while working as a server, but there is something about talking to a stranger in a setting where I am not obligated to do so that is quite intimidating. So, when faced with this task for class, I had to swallow my fears, and I am glad that I did!

I thought that the best way to approach this challenge would be to do it in a setting that I am comfortable in. The day after class, I went to the gym and noticed a girl wearing super cute shorts. I see cute outfits in the gym all the time, but normally I just make a mental note to try and google the clothes later. This time, I asked where she got her shorts. I had no idea what to expect, but the interaction was so pleasant. She complimented my shorts, told me where she got hers, and we ended up chatting for a few minutes about all of our favourite activewear. We have had conversations every time that we have seen each other in the gym since that day, and I would go as far as to call her a friend. 

I really appreciated having a genuine in-person interaction with someone new. Creating a connection face-to-face has helped me create the sense of community in the gym that I’ve been looking for, and that I have not been able to find in any online spaces.

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The Importance of Finding Your “Why”

Fitness means so many different things to so many different people. Whether fitness is your career, one of your passions, a hobby that you enjoy, or even if it’s something that you take part in just because you think you should, finding your “why” is the first step to success. 

As a kid, I tried several different types of exercise, ranging from team sports to dance lessons. Nothing ever stuck, I never felt super passionate about or connected to them. I first felt genuinely excited about a sport when I started playing rugby in high school. The difference was that I had found a “why.” The team was like a family, the game was a great emotional outlet, and practicing four days a week made me feel healthy. 

After I got out of high school, I stopped playing and lost all desire to make fitness a part of my life. For the following few years, I was in and out of the gym inconsistently, but I never took it seriously. It wasn’t until earlier this year that I truly found my “why,” which turned into a passion for fitness. At the beginning of this year, my anxiety was at an all-time high, and my self-esteem was at an all-time low. One day, as I was scrolling through TikTok, one of my favourite influencers posted about how fitness helped her find herself again, and it resonated with me. The next day, I stepped back into the gym, and I haven’t stopped since. After a few months of weight training consistently, my mental health was in a much better place, and my goals shifted. 

At this point in my journey, I am pushing my body every day to see how much it is capable of, I am practicing discipline and consistency, and I am focused on the process, rather than the end goal. 

Whether your goal is to look a certain way, feel a certain way, or move a certain way, your “why” is what keeps you going.

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